Every year in the monsoon month of Shravana, the old hill town of Chamba on the banks of the Ravi river puts on a week of music, wrestling, processions and prayer. This is the Minjar Fair, the town's biggest celebration and a declared state fair of Himachal Pradesh. If you enjoy festivals that are still deeply local, it is one of the most rewarding in the state.
What is Minjar?
A minjar is a small silk tassel worn on clothing by men and women during the fair. It stands for the young shoots of maize and paddy that appear around this time of year, so the festival is a thanksgiving for the crops and the rains. The tassels are worn through the week and finally offered to the river.
When is it held?
The fair begins on the second Sunday of Shravana and runs for about a week, which usually places it in July or August. The main procession falls on the final Sunday. Exact dates shift with the lunar calendar each year, so check the district administration's announcements before booking travel.
What happens during the fair
- Flag raising at the Chaugan: the festival opens at Chamba's large historic open ground, the Chaugan, with sports and cultural programmes to follow.
- Wrestling bouts: a popular crowd-puller at the Chaugan.
- Folk music: local artists sing traditional Kunjdi-Malhar songs, a regional form tied to the rainy season.
- The Shobha Yatra procession: decorated palanquins of local deities, dance troupes, drummers, bands and locals in traditional dress move through the main market towards the Ravi riverbank.
- River ritual: an offering, including a coconut and a minjar, is immersed in the Ravi, followed by devotees and visitors immersing their own tassels.
Chamba is also known for its stone temples, the Chamba rumal embroidery, handwoven woollen shawls and the local leather chappals, and the fair is a good time to see these crafts and sample regional food.
How to get there
Chamba is reached by road from Pathankot (the nearest railhead, around 120 km), Dalhousie or Dharamshala. The journey from Naggar is a long mountain drive, so plan a multi-day trip rather than a day outing. Buses and shared taxis run from Pathankot and Dalhousie, and during the fair the town fills up fast.
Tips for visitors
- Book accommodation well in advance for the final weekend.
- Reach the procession route early for a good spot; roads in the old town are narrow.
- Dress for rain, because it falls in the monsoon season and landslides can delay roads.
- Ask before photographing people, ritual items or deities.
- Combine the visit with Khajjiar, Dalhousie and the Bharmour temples for a full Chamba circuit.
If you are putting together a festival-themed Himachal trip, start in the Kullu valley, where Dussehra and village fairs draw gods from across the hills. Ghar in the Hills is a cozy homestay right in Naggar — book your stay to wake up to valley views before you head out to Chamba.
Festivals like Minjar are best experienced slowly and respectfully. Write to us at Ghar in the Hills if you would like help planning a route through the festivals of the Himachal calendar.
